final practicum advise

RNTutor, BSN, RN · May 15, 2010

That's a great question. Of course I'm not sure I have a definite answer though because it can be such a personal thing. I would ask how old you are, but it's not polite :rolleyes: Just because I think that when you are younger, and went straight into nursing school from high school, it probably is harder to choose a specialty because you still have so much to learn about yourself.

Now, all this is totally my opinion, and based on my personal experience. Because for me, nursing is my second life, so I think I had a better idea of what types of nursing would be a good fit for me based on my life experiences so far. I figured out during my first semester that I wanted to work in the OR, and by golly that's what I did straight out of nursing school :) But that would have been a very risky move if I hadn't been so sure that it was a good fit for me, because OR in particular is very different from other areas of nursing.

Anyway, that's my experience. Hopefully it will help you get some perspective so that you can make the best decision for you!

Shanlee79 · May 15, 2010

That's a great question. Of course I'm not sure I have a definite answer though because it can be such a personal thing. I would ask how old you are, but it's not polite Just because I think that when you are younger, and went straight into nursing school from high school, it probably is harder to choose a specialty because you still have so much to learn about yourself.
Now, all this is totally my opinion, and based on my personal experience. Because for me, nursing is my second life, so I think I had a better idea of what types of nursing would be a good fit for me based on my life experiences so far. I figured out during my first semester that I wanted to work in the OR, and by golly that's what I did straight out of nursing school :) But that would have been a very risky move if I hadn't been so sure that it was a good fit for me, because OR in particular is very different from other areas of nursing.
Anyway, that's my experience. Hopefully it will help you get some perspective so that you can make the best decision for you!

Thanks for your reply! Well, I don't mind answering..I am 31 years old. So I do have quite abit of life experience and I try to incorporate that into my decision making. My background before school had no healthcare connection..I mostly worked hospitality (waitressing/retail) and I also worked for an airline. So, basically alot of experience with high-stress type jobs, lots of people interaction. I figure I will end up in a similar area but then I am worried that maybe I should choose something different since I clearly left those jobs for a reason? I guess alot of it is personal choice and some soul searching on my part.

What I do know about myself....

I enjoy acute vs. chronic

I handle stress well and enjoy variety (I can get bored easy)

I am quite adaptable and don't fair well when it is too structured

I do work awesome in a team but usually end up in a leadership role too

I know alot of this sounds like ER material...but I have also been warned against this as a new grad. Get a few yrs on the wards, so they say. So, I am not sure if there are similar areas other than ER??

RNMeg · May 15, 2010

My faculty adviser recommended I choose a floor that would give me the learning opportunities necessary to pass the NCLEX, without worrying much about where I'd get a job afterward. I think it was good advice, because several of my classmates did their capstone in very specialized areas (like L&D, NICU, etc) and they don't feel prepared for NCLEX at all.

RNTutor, BSN, RN · May 15, 2010

I know alot of this sounds like ER material...but I have also been warned against this as a new grad. Get a few yrs on the wards, so they say. So, I am not sure if there are similar areas other than ER??

How about OR?? But I am biased!

Can you do a practicum in an ER? That would give you a good experience and prepare you better if you decide you want to do it as a new grad. Lots of people will tell you to go to the med-surg floor first, but that's really not for everyone. I probably would have jumped out a window if I had gone to a med-surg floor. But that's just how I am. I have a classmate who went straight to ER in an internship program. Last time I talked with her, she was doing well. She had some concerns about staffing which might have put a little extra pressure on a new ER nurse, but she was handling it. And the issues she was having had much more to do with the work environment than with the fact that she was a new grad.

If you really want to work on a floor, you could look into cardiac, or neuro floors. The pts could turn on a dime, but they tend to be more chronic than acute. And I think you would hear the same arguments for why you shouldn't do those specialties, either.

Have you every had an opportunity to observe in an ER? If not, try calling a nurse recruiter and explain that you are a student interested in ER. Ask her if you could be put in touch with the manager in order to arrange an observation day. I did that when I was considering OR, and I found that several area hospitals were willing to do that for me.

Shanlee79 · May 16, 2010

How about OR?? But I am biased!
Can you do a practicum in an ER? That would give you a good experience and prepare you better if you decide you want to do it as a new grad. Lots of people will tell you to go to the med-surg floor first, but that's really not for everyone. I probably would have jumped out a window if I had gone to a med-surg floor. But that's just how I am. I have a classmate who went straight to ER in an internship program. Last time I talked with her, she was doing well. She had some concerns about staffing which might have put a little extra pressure on a new ER nurse, but she was handling it. And the issues she was having had much more to do with the work environment than with the fact that she was a new grad.
If you really want to work on a floor, you could look into cardiac, or neuro floors. The pts could turn on a dime, but they tend to be more chronic than acute. And I think you would hear the same arguments for why you shouldn't do those specialties, either.
Have you every had an opportunity to observe in an ER? If not, try calling a nurse recruiter and explain that you are a student interested in ER. Ask her if you could be put in touch with the manager in order to arrange an observation day. I did that when I was considering OR, and I found that several area hospitals were willing to do that for me.

haha...I think I am with you on that I might join you in jumping out the window too on a med-surg floor. At least from the clinical experience I had, I just knew I didn't feel like I fit there and so it's reassuring to have you encourage a different route. I will definitely try to request for practicum in the ER but they are pretty picky with who they let in. Same goes for the OR. But funny how when I toured the NICU/PICU they seemed open arms to have me there?? I guess I'll just wait and see..but your suggestion about shadowing in the ER is great. I have the month of august off from school and maybe I will start touching base with some local ones to see what they offer.

RNTutor, BSN, RN · May 16, 2010

haha...I think I am with you on that I might join you in jumping out the window too on a med-surg floor. At least from the clinical experience I had, I just knew I didn't feel like I fit there and so it's reassuring to have you encourage a different route. I will definitely try to request for practicum in the ER but they are pretty picky with who they let in. Same goes for the OR. But funny how when I toured the NICU/PICU they seemed open arms to have me there?? I guess I'll just wait and see..but your suggestion about shadowing in the ER is great. I have the month of august off from school and maybe I will start touching base with some local ones to see what they offer.

Another idea I thought of for you was to join some professional associations. ENA for emergency nurses, AORN for Operating room, there's pretty much one for every specialty. I had considered ER, too, before settling on OR, so I signed up for both professional associations. I think this helps you get more information about the specialties so you can get more of a feel for what it would be like to work there. Plus, they usually have local chapters that meet at least once a month...great for networking!! They love to have students come. Even if you don't register, I bet they'd be happy to have you sit in on a meeting. Just think how much easier it would be to get an ER preceptorship or job if the manager knew you from a local ENA meeting :idea:

It does cost some to join these associations, but they give you a big discount for being a student. I think it usually runs $30-40 per year for student memberships and new grads, versus $100/year for established nurses.